A watermaker for a charter boat needs to keep up with multiple guests every day, run reliably in back-to-back use, and be serviceable when something goes wrong miles from a marina. The right unit depends on how many people you carry, how long your passages are, and how your vessel is powered. Here is a practical guide to matching a system to charter work.
Why Charter Boats Have Higher Watermaker Demands
A couple on a cruising yacht might need 10 to 20 litres per person per day. A charter crew of six to eight guests, with cooking, showers, and tank top-ups factored in, can easily push that to 80 to 150 litres daily. The watermaker needs to produce that comfortably within the hours it is running, not at theoretical maximum. It also needs to handle daily operation without premature membrane wear, and it needs to keep producing water that a paying guest would be happy to drink.
Two factors typically disqualify the smallest portable units for busy charter work: output and duty cycle. A 10 LPH unit would need to run continuously for eight or more hours to fill a modest charter day tank, which is fine for a couple but not for a full boat of guests. For most charter applications you want at least 40 LPH, with the ability to scale up if the vessel or crew grows.
The LEDI Nomad: Built for Heavier Daily Use
The LEDI Nomad watermaker is the purpose-built option for charter, liveaboard, and high-output commercial marine use. It is available in 40, 60, and 80 LPH output configurations and runs on 12V or 24V DC, with a 240V mains adapter available and a 48V BLDC motor as a custom premium upgrade.
Key specifications that matter for charter:
- Output: 40, 60, or 80 LPH depending on configuration
- Power: 12V or 24V DC, with 240V mains adapter available
- Pump: Cat Pumps 2SFSEEL 316-stainless compact direct-drive plunger pump, fully serviceable
- Integrated control panel with TDS monitor and flow meter as standard
- 2-stage pre-filtration for cleaner feed water to the membrane
- 316 stainless DEFLOK fittings throughout
- Autoflush-compatible for end-of-day freshwater flush
- Weight: approximately 38 to 42 kg
- Pricing: $9,899 AUD for the single-membrane unit, $10,899 AUD for the double-membrane unit
The built-in TDS monitor lets you confirm water quality every session, which matters when you are responsible for guests' drinking water. The autoflush compatibility means you can set up an automatic freshwater rinse at the end of a day's use, protecting the membrane without relying on a crew member to remember.
At 80 LPH, a two-hour run fills a 160-litre day tank. At 40 LPH, the same tank fills in four hours. For a charter vessel running full days on solar or a DC bank, that is a manageable daily task that slots around sailing or anchoring.
When the LEDI Scout Still Makes Sense for Charter
Not every charter operation runs eight guests on a 60-foot motoryacht. Smaller charter vessels, skippered day trips on yachts under 40 feet, and vessels with two to four guests on shorter passages can be served well by the LEDI Scout watermaker, available in 10 LPH or 20 LPH from $4,899 AUD.
The Scout also makes a practical backup unit on a larger charter vessel. If the primary system goes down, a Scout can be up and running in minutes with no installation: drop the stainless intake over the side, connect the hoses, and make water. At 18 kg it stows in a locker and does not compete for below-deck space with the main system. For vessels operating remote passages where parts and technicians are hard to find, having a simple, field-serviceable backup is worth serious consideration.
The Scout draws 16 to 18A at 12V DC and produces output consistently under 800 ppm TDS (typically 250 to 300 ppm), with a built-in UV steriliser meeting Australian drinking-water standards. Those figures translate directly to guest safety, not just convenience.
Permanent Install vs Portable: What Works for Charter
Many charter operators want a permanently installed system that guests never see and crew barely notice. For a custom below-deck setup, the LEDI Modular watermaker is configurable from roughly 10 to 80+ LPH, with a remote control panel and auto freshwater flush. It suits refits and new builds where the watermaker needs to be out of sight and integrated with the vessel's plumbing.
The tradeoff with a permanent install is servicing access and installation cost. The Nomad gives you most of the output and features of a fixed install without being committed to a single mounting position, which suits vessels that run different routes or charters that share a vessel across multiple operators. If you want a permanent install, contact the LEDI team to discuss a Modular configuration suited to your vessel.
If you are comparing against European-brand fixed watermakers, it is worth noting that installed systems commonly run $10,000 to $25,000 once installation labour, import freight, and distributor margins are included. LEDI systems use the same commercial marine-grade components but are made on the Gold Coast, with no importer markup on an 18 or 42 kg unit, and non-proprietary parts that a competent marine engineer anywhere in the world can service.
Power Planning for a Charter Watermaker
Charter boats often run more electrical load than cruising yachts: refrigeration, navigation instruments, entertainment systems, and charging for guests' devices all compete with a watermaker for battery capacity. Getting power planning right matters.
The Nomad runs at 12V or 24V DC. A 24V system is more efficient at the same output, which suits vessels with larger alternators or a solar setup already optimised for 24V. The 240V mains adapter means you can also run the unit plugged into shore power at a marina, saving your battery bank entirely.
For vessels that run the watermaker underway rather than at anchor, the engine alternator is usually doing the heavy lifting, and power planning is straightforward. For operators who want to make water at anchor using solar, a larger panel array (typically 400W or more for continuous Nomad operation) and a well-sized battery bank are worth planning in advance. The LEDI team can help you think through a power setup that fits your charter pattern.
Servicing, Spares, and Keeping a Charter Business Running
Downtime on a charter vessel is revenue lost. Watermaker reliability comes down to two things: quality parts and accessible servicing.
LEDI systems use commercial marine-grade, non-proprietary components. The Cat Pumps plunger pump in the Nomad is fully serviceable and has a global parts network. Pre-filters on both the Scout and Nomad are standard cartridge sizes available from marine chandleries worldwide. LEDI posts spare parts Australia-wide and internationally, usually within one business day, from the LEDI spares store.
Routine maintenance for charter use is mostly about keeping the pre-filter clean and the membrane protected. In heavier use or silty anchorages, pre-filter changes may be needed every 10 to 20 hours; in clean ocean water, every 30 to 40 hours is typical. The RO membrane itself is not a routine consumable; with proper freshwater flushing after each use it lasts several years. Both units are autoflush-compatible, which takes the effort out of daily membrane care.
All LEDI systems carry a 1-year warranty, extended to 2 years on registration, with lifetime in-house servicing on the Gold Coast. If something goes wrong, you deal with a real person, not a call centre.
Choosing the Right Nomad Configuration for Your Charter
The single-membrane Nomad at $9,899 AUD suits most charter vessels up to about ten guests with moderate daily water use. The double-membrane option at $10,899 AUD doubles output capacity and suits larger vessels, higher daily demand, or operators who want a production buffer so the watermaker runs less aggressively and the membrane lasts longer. Which configuration suits your vessel is worth a direct conversation with the team.
If you are not sure whether the Nomad, the Scout, or a Modular install is the right fit, contact LEDI at info@ledi.com.au or call +61 494 562 668. You will speak with someone who knows the products and can ask the right questions about your vessel and charter pattern before recommending anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much output do I need for a charter boat watermaker?
For most charter vessels carrying four to eight guests, 40 to 80 LPH is the practical range. A 40 LPH unit filling a 160-litre tank takes four hours; an 80 LPH unit does the same in two. Smaller vessels or day-charter operations with two to four guests can work with 20 LPH if daily use is moderate. The LEDI Nomad covers 40, 60, and 80 LPH configurations.
Can a charter watermaker run on solar without a generator?
Yes, if the solar array and battery bank are sized correctly. The Nomad runs at 12V or 24V DC, so it is compatible with a well-sized marine solar system. Running the watermaker underway from the alternator is the simpler option for most charter operators; at anchor on solar, a 400W or larger array and adequate battery capacity are recommended. LEDI can advise on power requirements for your specific setup.
What maintenance does a charter watermaker need daily?
The most important daily task is a freshwater flush of the membrane after use. Both the Nomad and Scout are autoflush-compatible, so this can be automated. Pre-filter changes depend on water clarity, typically every 10 to 40 hours. For charter use, a quick check of the TDS reading and feed pressure each session will flag any issues before they become problems. Full guidance is in the LEDI instructions supplied with every unit.
Does LEDI ship watermakers internationally for charter operators?
LEDI ships globally. For international orders, contact the team directly for a shipping quote, as freight costs vary by destination and unit size. Spare parts also ship internationally, usually within one business day from the Gold Coast.
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